When the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) stood to offer a voluntary prayer he would say: " Allahu Akbar Wajahtu wajhi lilladhi fataras-samawatiwal-arda hanifan musliman wa ma ana minal-mushrikin. Inna salati wa nusuki wa mahyaya wa mamati lillahi rabbil-alamin, la sharika lahu, wa bidhalika umirtu wa ana awwalul-muslimin. Allahumma antal-maliku la ilaha illa anta subhanaka wa bihamdik (Allah is Most Great. Verily, I have turned my face toward Him who created the Heavens and the Earth hanifa (worhsipping none but Allah Alone), as a Muslim, and I am not of the idolaters. Verily, my Salah, my sacrifice, my living, and my dying are for Allah, the Lord of the all that exists. He has no partner. And of this I have been commanded, and I am the first of the Muslims. O Allah, You are the Sovereign and there is none worthy of worship but You, glory and praise be to You.)" Then he would recite.
The Opening Invocation of Voluntary Prayer
This profound opening supplication from Sunan an-Nasa'i 898 in The Book of the Commencement of the Prayer contains comprehensive spiritual meanings that establish the proper intention and orientation for worship.
Scholarly Commentary on the Opening Phrases
"Allahu Akbar" (Allah is Most Great) establishes the transcendence and majesty of the Divine at the prayer's commencement, reminding the worshipper of Allah's supreme status above all creation.
"Wajahtu wajhi lilladhi fataras-samawatiwal-arda" (I have turned my face toward Him who created the Heavens and the Earth) signifies complete spiritual orientation toward the Creator, affirming tawhid (divine unity) and rejecting all false directions.
The Declaration of Pure Monotheism
"Hanifan musliman wa ma ana minal-mushrikin" (as a hanif, muslim, and not of the idolaters) emphasizes the purity of Islamic monotheism, following the way of Prophet Ibrahim (AS) who rejected shirk completely.
The term "hanif" refers to one who inclines away from falsehood toward truth, specifically describing the original pure monotheism before religious corruption.
Comprehensive Devotion to Allah
"Inna salati wa nusuki wa mahyaya wa mamati lillahi rabbil-alamin" (Verily, my prayer, my sacrifice, my living, and my dying are for Allah) represents the ultimate expression of complete submission, where every aspect of existence is dedicated to Allah alone.
This comprehensive declaration encompasses all forms of worship (salati), ritual sacrifice (nusuki), and the entirety of one's life and death, leaving no aspect outside divine devotion.
Affirmation of Prophetic Mission
"La sharika lahu, wa bidhalika umirtu wa ana awwalul-muslimin" (He has no partner, and of this I have been commanded, and I am the first of the Muslims) confirms the Prophet's role as the perfect exemplar who implemented divine commands before anyone else.
This statement establishes the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) as the foremost in submitting to Allah's command, setting the pattern for all believers to follow.
The Closing Supplication
"Allahumma antal-maliku la ilaha illa anta subhanaka wa bihamdik" (O Allah, You are the Sovereign, there is none worthy of worship but You, glory and praise be to You) combines acknowledgment of Allah's sovereignty, exclusive right to worship, and transcendence above all imperfections.
This concluding part prepares the heart for recitation of Quran by establishing the proper attitude of humility, praise, and recognition of divine perfection.